Three ‘abused’ minors rescued

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Provincial Public Safety Company and the Bangui Municipal Station on Friday arrested a 34-year-old man and rescued three minors in a raid in Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City (Metro Manila). They identified the accused as Elmario Area, alias Elmer, who is wanted for rape in relation to RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act). A warrant for his arrest had been issued by Judge Rosemarie Ramos, Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Rescued were Area’s 17-year-old partner and her two children, one aged two years and the other nine months. Nonie and Arnel Agreda, biological parents of the victims, had complained that the partner of the accused and the children were being abused by Area. The accused is in the custody of CIDG Ilocos Norte while the rescued minors are in the care of their family.